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Chapter 3: Billionaire's Regret

Once the door closed, the atmosphere was chilly but controlled. The man and woman just silently looked at each other. There was a definite coldness around Aaron and an open expression of uncomfortability with Grace.

Aaron stood motionless just watching her clearly waiting for an explanation.

“What…what are you doing here Aaron?” Grace fiddles with her hands very nervous.

“Oh, I thought I would surprise my fiancée. Instead I found my own surprise.” Aaron finally moved away from the door. He went and sits down on a chair, still looking curiously at her. “You know the first time I met you, I found you intriguing. I thought you were a strong, independent woman. You certainly are a caring doctor. That truth no one can take away from you. I accepted all of you. I certainly never intended to search for a flaw in your character.” He said almost thoughtful.

“Aaron, I…” Grace stood away from her desk.

“You know, I must tell you, I was in a meeting looking for funding for you. I truly believe in the good you do with your humanitarian projects. I realized you need constant funding. I felt proud being in an intimate relationship with you, ‘Doctor Grace Stevens’. Then I discovered I am actually a fool, in front of the recruited investors.”

“Aaron, what are you talking about?” Grace was confused about his tone of voice but his words stinging her skin.

“You created the believe in me that you are an honorable person. Unfortunately, I learned to my embarrassment you are an international renowned slut.” Aaron finally exploded with a slight rising of his voice. He controlled his body with the rising instinct to slap her but just the constant memory of his mother stops him. Forgetting someone… his mind teased

“I am not a slut, Aaron.” Grace was red in the face.

“You are Grace. I met some of your lovers. Some is still current.” He said flatly.

“Aaron, stop this.”

“You should have warned me Grace. You should have told me you are always open for service.” He glared coldly at her.

“Enough! You hear me?”

“My dear, I want you to know the extent of my humiliation your actions have created for me. I prefer the world not to know too much about me.”

Grace looked at the man across from her. She realized she made a mistake but she refuses to change her character and personal choices. She won’t do it for any man.

“Fine, Aaron.”

“I don’t think so Grace.”

“You want to end this relationship?” she asks flatly.

“I am still considering my choices.”

“While you sit there and formulate your decision, let me clarify something once and for all. Make this part of your package deal. I like men, various types of men. Now in light of what you discovered; I want an open relationship.”

Aaron quickly stood. With two steps he stood right in front of her. He towers over her own length but she certainly didn’t back away from him. She stood her ground.

“I want an open relationship, Aaron.” Grace replied again looking him straight in the eyes.

Aaron leaned closer and smells her. Very softly he whispers sending chills down her body. “I can smell them now.”

“Who?” she asks confused.

“I can now smell the bastards on you. I can especially smell that you have been fucking earlier but apparently didn’t border to shower. I say again, you are a good doctor but a slut. I realize now why you want an open relationship. You apparently need to sleep with any man just looking your way. Well Doctor Grace Stevens, I am setting you free. Go ahead and be who you want to be.”

Aaron step away from her. The hard coldness again was surrounding him. He reached into his jacket and dropped the envelope on her desk.

“What is that?”

“Your international donations. You will be well funded for a year or two. Good luck, Grace.”

Aaron turned and walk towards the door.

“Wait!” Grace quickly moved closer to him.

“Leave me alone. I hereby grant you your freedom.” The door shut with his final words echoing in the office.

Annie…

Annie carefully looked back to where the SUV was parked. She nearly collided with it earlier. Her mind completely occupied with her Mom and that out of the blue phone call, she nearly rides into the vehicle.

“Strange that I didn’t even noticed the driver’s face. Life taught me to be observant.” She pushed the bicycle towards the bike parking before placing it against the wall. She had forgotten her chain. A risk but that’s what it is. At least it was in direct line with the security cameras.

“May as well get something to eat.” She looked at her watch; it was still too early to visit her Mom.

Walking towards the Cafeteria she sits down at a window table, putting her phone and wallet in the middle of the table. She leaned back in her chair once she ordered something light from the candy-stripe/waitress. She slowly looked around. The place was packed, most people anxiously watching their watches.

Her eyes landed on the man sitting at a corner table. She had the oddest notion she was somehow in tune with his turbulent emotions. “Why are you so angry?” she questions his back. Just looking at him, she can sense his emotions. The strangest notion washes over her to wrap her arms around him. “I am being silly.” She shook her head.

Just once very briefly did she react this instinctively? But that dream went up in smoke leaving only behind shattered illusions.

The girl placed her order on the table. Once the girl was gone, she starts eating. Her mind wanders back to the phone call she received earlier. Once upon a time she was a happy child who adored her father. She always looked eagerly forward reaching her sweet sixteen birthday. There was nothing sweet about that day. Her dad, Thom Black blind-sided both her and her mother. If it wasn’t for the swift furious reaction of her mom, she would have been legally sold to strangers.

Reaching for her wallet she flipped it open and removed two of the content, a photo of her and her Mom before she had gotten ill. A smaller one with her Dad. It was the only one she kept; the rest was burn in hurting.

At least Thom Black had the decency to admit his intended crime when he was confronted by the police. The judge was furious and had sentenced him to fifteen years in prison. Now in light of the phone call, it was clear he was out of prison.

“Probably good behavior,” she whispered to herself. Her mind feels like a busy bee-hive.

Annie looks at her wallet. Her fingers itch wanting to delve deeper. But she can’t afford to open that door. The day she walked out that front door, not once did his name slipped over her lips again.

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